Biography: William Wheeler “Bill” Finch, Jr., age 82, passed away Monday, May 1, 2006, in Little Rock, Arkansas, surrounded by his family and friends. He is preceded in death by his late wife Margaret Carolyn Cornish Finch in 1985, who, together with him, felt God’s plan for them was to create a “generation of love for those who are the meek of this land.” Bill and Margaret sought out and were blessed with genuine, loving friends who shared the same basic interests as they. Bill was born August 7, 1923, in Little Rock to the late Mattie Ona Moseley and William Wheeler Finch, Sr. In addition to his wife and parents, Bill is preceded in death by two sisters, Martha Jean Finch and Ruth Finch Brockman, and Ruth’s husband, Oliver F. Brockman. Bill is survived by his two children, Kimberly Finch Krone (Marshall) of Tampa, Florida, and William W. Finch, III (Brenda), of Baltimore, Maryland; three grandchildren, James William “Joc” Simmons, Amanda Gene Simmons, and Jason Cory Finch; three great-grandchildren; and his niece, Jane Finch Brockman Briggs (Dale Dildy) and family of Little Rock. Bill attended Little Rock schools and then went to Hendrix College until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1943. By direction of the President of the United States, Bill was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for heroic achievement during World War II Campaigns in Rhineland and Central Europe by the Commanding General of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Division. In 1946 Bill returned to Hendrix College where he would meet his future wife Margaret. Soon thereafter, they spent almost all of their 38 years of marriage in Oklahoma City where Bill was President of Cornish Furniture Company. In his professional career, Bill was President of the Oklahoma City Retail Furniture Dealers Association, Vice President of the State of Oklahoma Retail Furniture Dealers Association, and Vice President of the Oklahoma City Advertising Club. Bill and Margaret were charter members of May Avenue Methodist Church in Oklahoma City where Bill was Superintendent of Sunday Schools and a teacher in the high school division; however, most recently they were members of Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City where Bill still retains his membership. While in Oklahoma City, Bill was active in the state’s Republican Party and, in 1958, was defeated in a run-off election as a candidate for the State House of Representatives. Bill was also a loyal member and past president of the OKC Northwest Optimist Club. He also coached Little League and American Legion baseball for 15 years, and he served as the President of the Central Oklahoma American Legion Baseball Association. Along with his passion for baseball, Bill also enjoyed golfing and fishing. While attending Little Rock schools, Bill developed his talent and became a gifted musician, playing saxophone in the nationally acclaimed Little Rock High School band and also in college and U.S. Army bands. His love for music never waned throughout his life, and his sax was never far from his side. Bill and Margaret loved to travel and shared the goal of visiting every continent in the world, which they almost achieved. In his later years, Bill took pleasure in traveling with and cheering on his grandson, Joc, in his tennis career. Bill was a beloved family man as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and mentor; and, he was a true member of “The Greatest Generation.” In 1995 Bill returned home to Little Rock, enjoying the fellowship of his family and friends. Until his recent health problems, Bill could be found cavorting with his DP golfing club cronies, the PIE friends from high school, the Old Geezers from college, his bourbon buddies, or his online internet friends in the bridge card and roulette games chat rooms. The family appreciates the care and kindness given to Bill by the doctors and staff during his stays at Baptist Health Medical Center and also by the staff at Presbyterian Village and Baptist Health Hospice. Viewing will be 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at Ruebel Funeral Home. Private graveside services for the family will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park followed by a memorial celebration for friends and family at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the Lodge at Presbyterian Village. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that consideration be given to donations to Presbyterian Village Foundation, 510 Brookside Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205 or Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. Funeral arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, Arkansas, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.